Dear Parents,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  Our first graders kicked off their day on Monday with a fun New Year countdown that included cheering and party horns.  We have had an amazing week, and our students are working hard to build relationships with their classmates and learn procedures all while having FUN! It is going to be an awesome year!  

Thank you for your patience with our arrival and dismissal procedures.  Here are a few tips to help us be more efficient.

Arrival:

• If you arrive in the mornings between 7:15 - 7:35, you will not have a wait.
• If someone is not there to open your car door, then your child can exit the car on their own.  If they can't, then pull forward, and someone will open it for you.
• The driver should not exit their car at any time.
• The far entrance off Estelle (by the playground) is an exit only from 7:15 - 8:00.
• If your child is a walker and then arrives in a golf cart, etc., then you should park outside the fence and walk up to the school.

Dismissal:

• If you are parking along Spurgin Road, we are asking that you park in the grass along our back fence(off the street).  We have had several complaints about blocking the driveways and the safety of the residents on Spurgin Road. Thank you in advance for understanding.
• Please make sure that you have your car tag visible if your child is being picked up in the Park and Pick Up line or the car line.

Thanks in advance for helping us have a safe and efficient arrival and dismissal.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me at any time.

All My Best,

Wendy Craft

Wendy_craft@lovejoyisd.net

214-551-4503 (cell)

469-742-8077 (office)

My mission is to be a servant leader who works with students, parents, and staff to build a community that fosters relationships and learning where everyone THRIVES. Each day, I strive to make the choice to be great versus comfortable, because you can't be both!

ACTION NEEDED!

Hart Families,

Welcome to School Dismissal Manager! Using School Dismissal Manager with your desktop or smartphone browser, you can quickly and easily update instructions when your child's dismissal needs to be changed. School Dismissal Manager notifies the school of your updates so that, effective August 22nd, it is no longer necessary for you to phone the school, send notes, or send an email to inform the school of dismissal changes. School Dismissal Manager will provide us with a more organized and efficient tracking system for afternoon dismissals. Please note that this is they same system that we used last year, but you must update it for this school year.

The easy-to-use mobile and desktop interface will allow you to make these changes in advance or for the current day. At Hart, we want you to utilize School Dismissal Manager to indicate a change in your child's default dismissal plan and to let us know if you are checking your child out early. Free apps are also available for Android and iPhone users.

To login, you will be issued a username and temporary password through an email from School Dismissal Manager. You should have received your email by Monday, August 15th.

Thank you for using this tool to help us keep the dismissal process safe and orderly for all our students. Every parent must go in and set your child's default by Friday, August 26th! Please contact Janean Mancini (janean_mancini@lovejoyisd.net) if you have any questions or concerns.

IMPORTANT ATTENDANCE REMINDERS & UPDATES

All families should have received their campus’ Beginning of Year Truancy Letter, via Bright Arrow. We felt that it was important to follow up with additional information.

In addition to the Compulsory Attendance Law that was addressed in the letter, there is also the 90% law; state law mandates that a student is in attendance at least 90 percent of the academic year.

In order to receive credit for a final grade in a class, a student is required to attend 90% of the days a class is offered, regardless of whether the student’s absences are excused or unexcused. 

All absences count towards the 90% law and Truancy, except for the following absences with the proper documentation: 

• Religious Holidays with written request prior to the absence 
• Attending a required court appearance
• UIL eligible absences- Educational Competition administered by school staff
• Academic, Athletic, and music contests (uiltexas.org)
• Medical-Related absences, when the student attended a portion of the school day and presents documentation from the health care professional for the same day
• All day Medical-Related absences do NOT exempt a student from the 90% law or Truancy. Medical Documentation for a full day absence is only used in consideration by the Attendance Committee)
• Sounding “Taps” at a military honors funeral held in Texas 

Attendance notes for an absence must be submitted to your student’s campus no later than 5 school days after the absence. Notes will NOT be accepted after the 5^th day, and your student’s attendance will not be changed.

Absence notification timeline, all absences are counted, (excused and unexcused):

• A letter will be sent home if your student is absent 3 times in a 4 week period
• Another letter will be sent home once the student has accrued 6 absences
• Intervention will begin with the campus attendance committee
• A 10 day letter will be sent home once the student accrues 10 absences
• Your student can be referred to Truancy Court

Although we know that students will get sick or other challenges may arise during the school year, consistent and timely school attendance is of the utmost importance. We all share the goal of enabling the students to reach their full potential and achieve all of their educational goals. The way to allow a student to reach their full potential and educational goals starts with consistent and timely attendance.

We are excited that the district will be utilizing Bright Arrow which will allow teachers to send "blast" texts and emails to our parents. As part of the district's Technology Acceptable Use Policy, we are asking teachers to refrain from texting with our parents. We are doing this in order to preserve our teacher's personal time and ensure confidentiality for all students. We know communication is important, and we encourage you to email, send a message in SeeSaw, or call the teacher on the school line. Thank you in advance for understanding.

How do I put money into my child's lunch account?

If you would like to put money on your child's account to pay for lunch or "extras," please choose one of the following ways.  As a reminder, a school lunch costs $3.50.

• Put money (cash or check) in a sealed envelope with your child's first and last name and homeroom teacher on it. Send it to school with your child, and they can deliver it to the cafeteria.
• Visit MySchoolBucks by clicking here and put money on your child's account electronically.

Can I bring birthday treats to school for my child?

Yes, you can purchase birthday treats for your child through Student Nutrition. Please note that we are only allowing birthday treats from the LISD Student Nutrition department. Thanks in advance for understanding. Please click here to order your child's birthday treats today! Please email your child's teacher to inform them that you ordered treats so that we do not have 2.

Can I bring my child lunch from a restaurant?

Yes! You will just need to place the food on the table with your child's name on it in our front office foyer.

School Start & End Times

Our school day begins at 7:55am each day, and we end at 3:10pm. If students are not in their seats by 7:55am, then they are considered tardy. We will give students grace during the first two weeks of school.

Arrival Protocols

Beginning Tuesday, August 10th, the doors will open at 7:15 each morning, and students will report straight to the cafeteria. At 7:30, our 3rd and 4th graders will be escorted to the gym and sit by class, and our Kindergarten - 2nd graders will sit by class in the cafeteria. 

In order for us to maximize efficiency, please do the following things:

• Have your child on the passenger side of your car.
• Do NOT get out of your car for arrival or dismissal.
• Pull all the way forward
• Please do not get out of line to pass cars
• For arrival, please do NOT park and walk your child in. We need all parents to go through the carline.  

Below, you will find the map for traffic flow. 

Dismissal Protocols

Students will have the following options to leave school each day.

• Bus (Signed up and paid for through Power School)
• Walker
• Parent Park & Pickup - This is where parents can park their car, and then they can walk to Door 3 to pick up their child. *This is different from last year.
• Car Pickup - where parents drive through our line and your child is placed into your car.

Below, you will find the map for traffic flow.

Email: tami_mitchell@lovejoyisd.net

• Just a reminder that medications not picked up at the end of the school year will be discarded. If your child has a daily or as needed medication, you must bring in the medication with a new signed medication administration form each school year. We do not keep any medications, forms, or action plans from the previous year.
• PARENT MEETINGS: If you would like to discuss your child’s care or medication in detail, please e-mail me to schedule a dedicated time to meet in person or speak on the phone.

Health & Safety Measures

The 2022-2023 Health and Safety Measures are now live on the district’s website. You may find them in two locations:

Quick Links/ 2022-2023 Health and Safety Measures

Parents/Parent Resources/2022-2023 Health and Safety Measures

For additional information on practices at the elementary school, please click the white button below.

Volunteer Background Check

We love volunteers at HES, but in order to volunteer or go on a  field trip, then you must have an updated Volunteer Background check for the current school year. Please complete your background check now!

PowerSchool: Update Enrollment & Student Forms

It's time to update paperwork in PowerSchool!

Click Here to log in to PowerSchool. Once you are logged in, scroll down on the left side to "Enrollment & Student Forms" to complete.

Lovejoy Green Team

Engineering for Kids

Explore the excitement of engineering! Students at Hart Elementary will use the Engineering Design Process to explore different fields of engineering sparking a passion for creation and tinkering. Ours is a proven program for lifelong interest in STEM!

DENNIS LEE ASSEMBLY THIS FRIDAY!

Our PTO is thrilled to be sponsoring our Dennis Lee assembly this Friday! Dennis Lee and Nana Puddin' are eXcited to eXplore eXcellent character and choices. When we look past our eXterior differences and all our "eXtras", we see a common truth eXists; we are all human beings. “X-Ray" will inspire our students to eXplode with kindness everyday. MAKE NO BONES ABOUT IT, KINDNESS MATTERS!

JOIN THE PTO TODAY!

Your membership dues and donations allow us to fund special

events for students. This includes Ice Cream Social, Author Visits,

Science Night, Art Sparks, Staff Support, and much more. With your

membership, you will also receive the Hart PTO newsletter, access

to our online directory, and a greater opportunity to be involved. Help

us achieve 100% enrollment!! To register and join, see the

instructions below:

Step 1.) Click on the Register/Login link below to create an online

account with Membership Toolkit or to sign into an existing account. 

Step 2.) After logging in or registering, click the Join Now button on

Membership Toolkit homepage to become a Hart Elementary PTO

member. 

Please join us for our first Hart PTO member meeting on

September 13th at 10:30 am in the Leopard’s Lair. ** This

meeting is open to all current and paid Hart PTO members. **

HART SPIRIT STORE

GET YOUR PRE-ORDERS IN!

Pre-order your favorite sweaters and hats today!    Pre-orders will close on August 31st.  In-stock orders placed after Meet the Teacher will be available for delivery/pick up on August 19th.  

LEOPARD DRIVE

Leopard Drive is our annual fundraiser.

Keep it simple with a donation that goes directly to Hart! All your dollars stay at the Hart Campus!

VOLUNTEER @ HART

The Hart PTO is parent powered! LISD Volunteer background checks are required annually. Please see the Volunteer Opportunities and sign-ups listed on the website:  http://hes.lovejoypto.org.

Please don’t forget to complete your LISD Background Check!  

DADS AT HART

ROOM PARENTS

Follow Hart PTO on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and via our website for the latest Hart PTO news and information.  

Red Out 2022 Homecoming T-Shirts

Lovejoy Orchestra Booster Club

Junior Leopards Mini Cheer Camp 2022

Charity Benefit Golf Tournament